when did everyone start their maternity leave?

[Happybunny]

I left at 29 weeks. I decided to become a SAHM so I didn't need to work right up to the last minute to have longer with the baby when she arrived. Good job too, I was really ready to go at 29 weeks. I enjoyed the long rest before April came.

 

[Lis32]

I finished work at 37 weeks- I had one week of annual leave then started mat leave at 38 weeks. I have a desk job though and had a dream pregnancy so didn't feel I needed to finish any earlier. Oh, and I get bored VERY easily so it was best for everyone that I carried on working!

 

[LisaJ1986]

14 days before due date.

 

[mum2A&L]

I left at 29 weeks. I decided to become a SAHM so I didn't need to work right up to the last minute to have longer with the baby when she arrived. Good job too, I was really ready to go at 29 weeks. I enjoyed the long rest before April came.

we are im a simular situation - We are swaying towards me staying at home after this one arrives, so im not worried about having less time after bubs is here. If i do end up going back then i will be reducing my hours loads.


ooo.. its so confusing. If i knew 100% what was going to happen / if i was going to get the same problems again they it would make it an easy decision!! remembering how i felt not including the itching etc i don't think i will last longer than 34-35 weeks anyway

 

[debecca]

29 weeks. My teaching job (6 days a week plus late nights) was too stressful for me to carry on beyond that.

 

[Bee]

I worked until 36 weeks - easter holidays so finished up then

Finlay arrived at 37 + 1 in the middle of the holidays

My mat leave didn't officially start till 38 weeks

 

[gerb]

i plan to leave work at 39+1, this is my last full week then i am going down to 3days for 6weeks (using last 12days annual leave to allow me to do this). unfortunately i have a very stressful and on my feet all day job, so im hoping this will work out tho i have no idea how realistic i am being as this is our first baby!
last week was a very bad week and i thought i was pushing my luck but im feeling much better this week!

 

[~*Leanne*~]

I leave work on Thursday - 2 more days!!

although my maternity leave doesnt start until 7th October, i have taken 2 weeks holidays beforehand.

i did plan on leaving on the 26th September but its getting too much for me so i brought it forward by a week. when my mat leave starts i will be nearly 37 weeks

 

[1sttimemum]

I was signed off sick from 27 weeks and then had caitlyn 3 weeks early anyway so my maternity allowance started the day caitlyn was born

 

[andreag]

Left on the friday at just over 38 weeks - LO was born on the wednesday. I am think the two might be related - I think if I had been home waiting she'd have been late! I was planning on taking holiday for a couple of weeks but you have to start your mat leave once the baby is born, so took hols at the end instead.

 

[Bexie]

With my first I planned on starting my maternity leave the day before my due date, but after being advised by my consultant I left work when I was 37 weeks. I'm so glad I left then as i didn't realise how tired I really was and having that time to rest before my daughters arrival was just what I needed.

This time I plan on leaving work at 37 weeks, I want to save as much to have with the baby as possible.

 

[mum2A&L]

wow can't believe how many people started at 37+!

also, have you noticed that no one has said 32 or 33 weeks!!

At the moment im 100% sure that im going to start on the 1st jan - but i want to see if i get any holiday for 2009. If i do, i will take that at the start of the year. - If i take it and then not go back, will i have to pay it back? Im entitled to 25 days a year, so i guess i would get about half that in 2009

 

[Bexie]

- but i want to see if i get any holiday for 2009. If i do, i will take that at the start of the year. - If i take it and then not go back, will i have to pay it back? Im entitled to 25 days a year, so i guess i would get about half that in 2009

I'm guessing that if you don't go back to work then you'd have to pay back your holiday pay. Check your contract. I'm not sure if it is the same everywhere, but where I work you still accumlate your normal holiday entitlement while on maternity leave. So you may be entitled to more than you think.